It is never easy to follow in the footsteps of a legend. But former Lion standout Marty Domres did just that in 1972, replacing Johnny Unitas as quarterback of the Baltimore Colts.

Though his three seasons with the Colts didn’t quite live up to Unitas, the greatest quarterback in the team’s history, Domres held his own. And it was more than enough. After all, Domres is a legend in his own right: he graduated in 1969 as one of the best football players Columbia had ever seen.

At various points in his career, Domres broke at least ten different Columbia football records. The native of upstate New York set school records for career passing attempts (702), completions (368), yards (4,492) and rushing attempts.

He set single-seasons records in 1968 for passing attempts (183), completions (344), and yards (2,206). And he held single-game records for attempts (54), completions (30) and yards (396).

Domres had 250 or more yards passing in a game five different times. He led the Ivy League in total offense in both 1967 and 1968. And his impressive play has stood the test of time: his 4,492 career passing yards still rank third all-time at Columbia, and his 5,345 yards of total offense ranks third all-time.

Selected to Columbia Football’s “Team of the 20th Century,” Domres was an honorable mention All-American and a first team All-Ivy League quarterback in 1968.

Drafted in the first round of the 1969 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers, Domres’ NFL career spanned nine years with the Chargers, Colts, 49ers and Jets. Upon his retirement in 1978, Domres had played in 90 NFL games and thrown 27 touchdowns.

Domres returned to Baltimore after his playing career and settled there. He currently works as a financial adviser for Deutsche Bank.